The St. Joe Community Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation”) has reached a major milestone in its history, surpassing $50 million in grants since its 1999 inception. The Foundation’s year-to-date grants bring the total giving to $52,090,040 awarded to nearly 500 non-profit organizations serving Bay and Walton counties in Northwest Florida. Last year, the Foundation also celebrated its 25th anniversary and marked the achievement by highlighting long-standing partnerships with organizations such as the Bay Education Foundation, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County—all early grant recipients and still active today.
Reaching this incredible milestone after celebrating our 25th anniversary this past year is a powerful reminder that it’s not just about dollars awarded but the lasting, community-driven transformation our grant recipients are leading in Bay and Walton counties,” said April Wilkes, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Every grant we award is an investment in elevating education, enhancing healthcare opportunities, promoting environmental stewardship, and fostering cultural arts, allowing the communities to thrive through these very deserving organizations.
Additionally, in 2021, the Foundation established an annual scholarship for high school seniors attending a public school and residing in Bay or Walton counties. The “No Ordinary JOE” scholarship program recently announced the 2025 winners and has awarded a total of 155 students $300,000 since the first awards to graduating seniors in 2022. Funding for the scholarship is provided to the Bay Education Foundation and Walton Education Foundation for administration and distribution to recipients.
As we celebrate this milestone in the Foundation’s grant-making history, we are proud to reflect on the enduring impact we have made in partnership with nonprofit organizations,” added Wilkes. “Surpassing $50 million in grants awarded speaks to our commitment to strengthening our region and improving the lives of the people who live here.
To view a full list of beneficiaries, to apply for a grant, or to learn more about the Foundation, visit www.joefoundation.com.
About The St. Joe Community Foundation: The St Joe Community Foundation’s mission is to enrich the quality of life of the people who live, work, and play in Northwest Florida. Created in 1999, the Foundation provides grants to other 501(C)(3) entities for the areas of education, environmental stewardship, building healthier communities, and programs that honor the cultural arts. The Foundation is funded exclusively by a transfer fee on the sale of real estate in certain communities St. Joe develops. This fee applies the first time a property is sold, and on each resale. The Foundation is a separate entity from The St. Joe Company and has a separate Board of Trustees. www.joefoundation.com